Action & Research Grants

Grant funding is a distinctive feature of our annual Play Conference, and we are proud to have awarded $52,000 in funding to date. Through competitive funding opportunities, we offer both Action and Research Grants to playmakers, communities and researchers whose work has the potential to improve and expand the Play Movement.

Note: Our grants are NOT for playground equipment, sunshades, surfacing or the like.

THE 2019 CALL IS NOW CLOSED. Those interested in applying for one of our 2020 grants will first need to submit a presentation proposal for the 2020 Conference on the Value of Play. Those whose presentations are accepted are eligible to apply for 2020 research and action grants. Please consider applying for a 2020 grant with our next call in Fall 2019.

Research Grants support new & emerging PLAY research

Research Grants are $3,000 grants awarded for empirical research that supports new, innovative and thoughtful work on the value of play. These awards are seed funds in support of longitudinal or future research in diverse topics related to play, and grant recipients’ work reflects great potential for expanding knowledge in the field.

Action Grants help communities PLAY

Action grants are $1,000 grants to facilitate play in communities. These grants support creative and innovative proposals to engage groups in play or to educate about the value of play. All activities should be completed within a calendar year from the time of award. Note: Action grants are NOT for playground equipment, sunshades, surfacing or the like.

Previous Action Grant Recipients:

2018 – “Unequal Playing Field – A Panel Discussion on the Importance of Accessing Equal Play for Girls and Girls of Color” – Starr Jordan & Nichole Myles from Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry (Charleston, SC)

2017 – Harper’s Playground at Arbor Lodge Park, a playground for children of all abilities in in Portland, OR

2017 – “Building a Community of PLAY Through an Interdisciplinary University Collaborative” – Debora Wisneski and Miriam Kuhn, University of Nebraska Omaha.

2017 – “Ludovia,” a weekly class for young professionals and working-class minorities to foster play through physical, emotional and social communication – Gregory Manley, City of Play, Pittsburgh, PA